It is not yet known whether the injury, described as a fracture of the fifth metatarsal, will require surgery. The junior forward is expected to be sidelined for at least two months

North Carolina forward Theo Pinson (1) looks to pass around Villanova forward Daniel Ochefu (23) during the first half of the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship at the NRG Stadium in Houston

An injury epidemic that cost the North Carolina football team two All-ACC performers for the rest of the season this week has now carried over to the Tar Heels’ basketball team. UNC announced Friday that junior Theo Pinson, a projected starter at the small forward position, will be sidelined indefinitely because of a broken bone in his right foot. This is the second time in his career that he has suffered the injury, which happened during practice earlier this week. It is not yet known whether the injury, described as a fracture of the fifth metatarsal, will require surgery. He is expected to be sidelined at least two months. Pinson was a key member of last year’s national runnerup, averaging 4.5 points per game and adding energy on the defensive end while playing in all 40 games last year — with seven starts. He was third on the team in assists with 115 and became the Tar Heels’ first non-starter to record 100 assists in a season since 2008. “I’m so disappointed for Theo,” UNC coach Roy Williams said in a statement. “Number one, he’s been playing well and he does so many positive things for our team. Theo’s our energy guy, he defends, he’s our best passer, a threat on the offensive boards, he can play four different positions, and he gives our team personality, and I mean that in a good way. “Hopefully we can get him back before the end of the season, but we have not met with all the medical personnel yet so there is no timetable for when he can play again.”

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